19/02/2026 14:34

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Will you be long, my lord? the boy asked. There are those who say it is a world of great magic, of fires that can consume planets, and secrets of mighty strength. She blessed me with seven sons, and yet I let them bum her. From time to time she sent Hot Pie and Gendry on while she doubled back to tryto confuse their trail, listening all the while for the first sign of pursuit.

First published in Asimov’s Science Fiction, July 2010. WHO, I tapped. No use pressing on my luck. The door was locked.